West Virginia Democrat. [volume] (Charles Town, W. Va.) 1885-1890, 1887-07-22

conduct do not interfere with the
rights of his neighbor. The discus
sion is at present confined to this
single point. After the deck is clear
ed, we will reply to the Herald par
agraph by paragraph.
There are two theories as 10 the
best way to promote temperance;
fanatics, bigots and enthusiasts pro-
pose one way; statesmen, level-head-
ed men have a different way. The
next election will determine whether
the policy of this State is to be con
trolled by fanatics or by level head
ed men. And it is well to remember
that if fanatics get control in one
matter they will have control in all
matters. The DEMOCRAT addresses
itself to thoughtful men, whose
judgment may be reached by sound
argument.
Every one who thinks, reads his
tory intelligently, or has observed
social movements, knows perfectly
well that written law is practically
migratory unless sustained by public
opinion; popular judgment is far
more effective than the words of
statute. Hence, in this matter Of
checking the use of intOXicants,
thoughtful men wish to practice the
methods of moral suasion, but the
fanatics clamOr for coercion. Level
headed men are in favor of local op-
ton; they desire to educate local
public opinion until it is ripe for
closing the saloons; the zealots in
sist that distant and nonresident
voters in one community shall con
troll the domestic affairs of another
community. The truth is, this pro
hibition movement grows out of
theory that one set of men, who fan
CIV themselves wiser or more moral
than others, may compel all persons
To adopt their ideas and to live up
to their standard of what is right
and expedient 1t is precisely the
proposition, that if one religious de
nomination has 4 majority in the
Legislature, it may compel every
other denomination to conform to
the creed which that majority thinks
the true creed. Here, then, is the
line between the ProhibitiOnistS and
Local Option men; and we thought
the day was passed, at least in West
Virginia, when it was necessary To
point out this plain and fundamcn-
tai distinction.
This prohibition movement is be
ingengineered by peoplewho havenot
the faintest conception Of the proper
functions of Government; they are
men ofdisordered intellect. wholack
that cain judgment which is essen
tial to deal successfully with the
affairs of the world. They assume
that Government should deal with
grown men, as a parent deals with
his child. They entirely forget that
the domestic relations are based on
natural instincts of the strongest
character and totally different from
the feelings of citizen TO his Gov
eminent. Forgetting this, they pro
pose that the Government shall eX-
erciSe authority like that entrusted
to parent Here is a great and
dangerous mistake. The province
of Government is to protect life, lib
erty and property; it is total de
parture from its legitimate functions
for a Government to meddle with
the personal habits of a citizen, UNI
less they Interfere with the rights Of
others. The use of tobacco is inju-
rious, and many fanatics insist that
the Government should prohibit its
production. My chewing does not
damage you; the circumstance that
YOU dislike tobacco is no reason why